By Maureen Schweers
Alexandria, VA – With one of the top 10 Halloween parades in the country, epic house decorating contests, and a neighborhood library transformed into a haunted house, Halloween is Del Ray’s biggest holiday. Here are five ways to celebrate:
- The Del Ray Halloween Parade: The 29th Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade takes place on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m. along Mount Vernon Avenue. All are welcome to march in this huge parade with a small-town feel, starting at the intersection of Mount Vernon and E. Bellefonte Avenues, and ending with live music and an awards ceremony at the Mount Vernon Recreation fields.
The elaborate entries in the Del Ray Halloween Parade’s annual stroller contest rival the creativity and design of parade floats—and are often a family-wide or even block-wide effort. And in a neighborhood where pets are family, it wouldn’t be Halloween in Del Ray without a pet costume contest. Entrants for both contests should check in at the intersection of Mount Vernon and E. Bellefonte Avenues by 1:30 p.m.; strollers will be judged before the parade, and pets will be judged at the end of the parade route.
This can’t-miss community event is sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association, The Jen Walker Team, Your Dog’s Best Friends, and Daniela Spigai, Advisory at Compass.
- Get in the Spirit: For over 30 years, local residents and businesses have transformed their houses and yards for Halloween, competing for bragging rights for best decorated house and business. Get in the Halloween spirit by visiting the top ten house nominees and hand-painted Halloween windows in businesses along Mount Vernon Avenue; maps will be available the week before the parade. Note: Nominations for the Best Decorated House Contest must be received by 12 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19; complete details on entering are available at visitdelray.com.
Meanwhile, the artists at Del Ray Artisans are examining “things that go bump in the night” in their October exhibit, which focuses on the source of frightening, unexplainable noises heard at night and the experiences behind them.
- Step into The Stacks… If You Dare: Join the Friends of Duncan Library (FODL) and the Del Ray Citizens Association (DRCA) as they transform Duncan Library into a family-friendly, Goosebumps-themed Tales of Terror Haunted House on Friday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 10 p.m., and on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Extra-scary tours (16+ years) will be available on both evenings from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 each, and will be available for sale beginning on Oct. 5 for the general public at https://givebutter.com/talesofterror2025; FODL and DRCA members will get early ticket access beginning Oct. 1. All event proceeds will support the Friends’ mission to fund books, programs, community events, and more for Duncan Library.
- Boos & Brews: Join select Del Ray restaurants for an informal bar crawl, The Night of Dreadful Delight, on Saturday, Oct. 25, featuring food & drink specials, costume contests, and more. Can’t wait until then for Halloween beers & spirits? Check out Nightmare on the Avenue, Del Ray’s Halloween-themed pop-up bar, located at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue.
- Give Back: Help ensure that each child in our community has a happy Halloween. The Del Ray Business Association partners directly with local nonprofit organizations serving children, giving community members the opportunity to purchase a costume for a child in need. To make a donation, visit visitdelray.com.
Halloween in Del Ray is presented by the Del Ray Business Association. For complete details—including how to enter the best decorated house, stroller, and pet costume contests—visit www.visitdelray.com.
